I N TH E S U PR EM E C O U R T O F M I S S I S S I PPI N O. 2 0 0 5 - CA-0 0 9 2 4 - S CT KENN ETH CLE VEL

AND , M . D. , AND CENTRAL S U RG I CAL ASS O CI

ATES, PLLC
v. JO H N M A N N A N D M A R K M A N N , H I S SO N S, BENEFI CI ARI ES OF J OH N D . M ANN , DECEAS

ED D A T E O F JU D G M E N T : 02/ 23/ 2005 TRI A L J U D G E: H O N
. TO M I E T. G REEN C O URT F RO M W HI C H AP P E

ALE D: HI

N DS C O UN T

Y C I RC UI T

C O URT A T T OR NE Y S F OR A P P E L L A NT S : L OR

R A I NE W A LT E R S B OY KI N W H I T M A N B
. J OH NS ON ATTO RN E

Y F O R AP P E

L L E E S : W
. O
. DI L L ARD N A TU RE O F THE C A S E: C I VI L - W RO N G F U L D EATH D I SPO SI T

I O N : R E V E R SE DA N DR E M A N D E D- 08/ 31/

2006 M O T I O N F O R R

E HE AR I N G F I L E D: M AN DAT

E I S S UE D: E N B A NC . DI C K I NS O N, J U S T I C E , F O R T H EC O U RT : ¶ 1. T h i s i s a n a ppe a l of a t ri a l c ou r t ’ s or de r de n y i n g a m ot i o n t o c o m

p e l a r bi t r ati on . For t h e r eas on s di s cu s s ed h er ei n , w e r ev

er s e an d r em an d f or en t r y of an appr op ri

at e or der
c on s i s t e n t wi t h t h i s opi n i on , c om pe l l i n g a r bi t r ati on . B A C KGR OU

N D F A C T S A N D P R OC E E D I N GS ¶2. O n

S ept em ber 17 , 2 00 2, J oh

n D . Man n u n der w en t a tot al g as t r ect om y f o r s t o m ach
can cer . T h i s s u rg er y w as per f

or m ed by D r . K e nn et

h C l ev el an d at C en t r al M i s s i s s i pp i M edi cal C e n t e r ( “ C M M C ” ) . A ppr ox i m at e l y n i n e m on t h s l at e r , M a nn a g

a i n s ou g h t m e di c a l c a r e f r om D r . C l e v e l a n d f or a h e r n i a w h i c h de v e l ope d i n r e l ati on t o M a n n ’ s g a s t r e c t om y .P l ai n ti f f s s t at e i n t h ei r br i ef t h at t h ey , al on g wi t h C M M C , bel

i ev e t h e cau s e of M an n ’ s deat h w as 1 se p si s d u e to th e i n f e c ti o n c a u se d w h e n h i s b o w e l wa s p u

n c tu red d u ri n g th e h e rn i a rep a i r. P l a i n ti f f s a rg u e t h i s i s c o n t r a r y t o t h e c a u s e o f d e at h D r . C l e v e l a n d p u t i n h i s m e d i c a l r e c o r d s , w

h i c h w a s c a n c e r . Th e con f l i ct r eg ardi n g t h e ca u s e of M an n ’ s deat h i s n ot an i s s u e f or t h i s C ou r t t o d eci de. 2 ¶3
. Du

ri n g th i s a p p o i n tm e n t, M a n n w a s p re s e n

te d wi th a C l i n i c - P h y s ic ia n - P a t ie n

t A r bi t r at i on A g r eem en t . T h e t er m s of t h e ag r eem en t ar e s t at ed ind i vi d ual

l y , w i t h a s pace a f

t er
e a c h t e r m f or t h e pati e n t t o i n i ti a l h i s u n de r s t a n di n g of t h at t e r m . T h e a g r e e m e n t m u s t be
s i g n ed by bo t h t h e pat i en t an d an au t h or i z ed r epr es en

t at i ve f o r C en t r al S u rg i cal A s s oci ates ( “ C S A ”) a n

d i n i ti al ed by t h e doct or . Man

n s i g n ed t h e ag r eem en t on J u n e 18, 20 03 , w

h i ch w as
a f ter h i s g a strec to m y b u t p ri o r to th e su rg e ry to rep a i r h i s h e rn i a . T h e su rg e ry to rep a i r h i s h e rn i a w a s s c h e d u l e d f o r an d p e rf o rm e d o n J u l y 7 , 2 0 0 3 , n

i n e te e n d a y s a f te r M a n n s i g n e d th e ag r eem en t . T h e n ex t day , D r . C l ev el an d p er f or m ed an ot h er s u rg er y t o r epai r M an n ’ s bo w el

, w h i c h w a s pu n c t u r e d du ri n g t h e h e r n i a r e pa i r . Fol l owi n g t h i s t h i r d s u r g e r y , c o m p l i c a ti on s d e v e l o p e d w h i c h req u i re d Ma n n to h av e a C T sc a n . T h i s s c a n rev e a l e d Ma n n h a d l i v e r ca n c e r. O n A u g u st 2 7 , 2 0 0 3 , Ma n

n d i e d o f m e tas ti c g a stri c c a n c e r o f th e l i v e r. 1 ¶ 4. O n A pri l 16, 2004, J oh

n a n d M a r k M a n n ( “ pl a i n ti f f s ” ) , w r o ngf

ul d e a t h be n e f i c i a ri e s of M a n n , b r o u g h t a

m e d i c a l m a l p r a c ti c e a c ti o n a g a i n s t D r . C l e v e l a n d , C S A , a

n d C M M C
. Th

e
c o m p l a i n t a lle g e d D r. C l e v e l a n d w a s n e g l i g e n t i n th e c a re a n d tre atm e n t o f M a n n d u ri n g th e
s u rg i c a l p r o c e d u r e a n d p o s t - o p e r ati

v e c a r e , w h i c h to o k p l a c e at CM M C. ¶ 5. O n

M ay 19 , 2 00 4, D r . C l e ve l an d an d C S A f i l ed a M ot i

on t o C om pel A r bi t r at i on an d S t a y P r oc e e di

n gs or D i s m i s s . T h e ba s i s f or t h i s m oti on w a s t h e a r bi t r ati on a g r e e m e nt
e x e c u tedb e twe e n

D r. C l e v e l a n d , C S A , a

n d Ma n n p ri o r to Ma n

n ’s s e c o n

d s u rg e ry . D r.3

C l e v e l a n d a n d C SA a rg u e d p l a i n ti f f s w e r e bou

n d by t h i s a g r e e m e n t , a s t h e a g r e e m e n t s t at e d i t
w a s bi n di n g on M a n n ’ s “ h e i r s - at - l a w or pe r s on a l r e pr e s e n t ati v e s .” ¶ 6. I n t h ei r R es po n s e to t h e M ot i on t o C o m p e l A r bi t r at i on , p l ai n ti f f s as s er t ed t h at M an n di d n ot en t er i n t o t h e ag r eem en t kn ow i n g l y , v ol u n t a r i l y, a nd i n t el l i g en tl y , an d t h e ag r eem en t
v i ol at ed t h e M i s s i s s i pp i A r bi t r at i on A ct . T

h e r es po n s e f u r t h er cl ai m ed t h at i f t h e ag r eem en t
w a s n o t v o i d , i t n e v e rth e l e s s d i d n o t b i n d p la in t if f s , a s th e y w e re b e n

e f i c i a ri e s u n d e r th e
w r on g f u l de at h s t at u t e , r at h e r t h a n “ h e i r s ” be c a u s e “ t h e y di d n ot i n h e ri t t h e c a u s e of a c ti on be c a u s e i t di d n ot e x i s t u n ti l h i s w r on g f u l de at h .” ¶ 7. O n

Febr u a r y 24, 2005, H i

n ds C ou n t y C i r c u i t C ou r t J u dg e T om i e T
. G r e e n i s s u

e d a M em or an du m O pi n i on an d O r der D en y i n g M ot i on t o C om pel A r bi t r at i on . J u dg e G r een h el d t h at t h e ag r eem en t f el l wi t h i n t h e r eal m of adh es i on an d w as u nc o ns c i on abl e. D r . C l

ev el an d
a nd C S A f

i l e d a ti m e l y n oti c e of a ppe a l pu r s u a n t t o T u p e lo A u to S

a le s , L td . v . Sc o tt , 844 S o . 2d 1167, 1170 ( M i

s s . 2003) ( h

ol di n g a n a ppe a l m a y be t ake n f r om a n o r d e r d e ny

i n g a m oti on t o co m p el ar b i t r ati o n )
. T h e i ssu es on ap p eal ar e as f o l l o w s: I
. W h

e t h e r t h e t ri a l c ou r t e r r e d i n f i n di n g t h e a r bi t r a t i o n a gr e e m

e n t t o be u n en f or cea bl e. II. W h

e t h e r t h e a

rb i trati o n a g re e m e n t i s b i n d i n g o n M a n n ’s w ro n g f u l d e ath b en ef i ci ari es. S TAN D AR D O F R EVI EW ¶ 8. T h i s appeal s t em s f r om t h e den i al of a m oti on to com pel ar bi t r a t i o n. T hi s C ou

r t en g ag es i n de n ov o r e v i e w of m oti on s t o di s m i s s a n d m oti on s t o c om pe l
. V i cksbur g P a r t n e r s , L .P

. v. St e phens , 9 11 S o. 2d50 7, 51 3 ( M i s s . 2 00 5) . T

h e Feder al A r bi t r at i o n A c t p r o vi des t

h at

“ a r bi t r ati on a g r e e m e n t s ‘ s h a l l b e v a l i d, i r r e v oc a bl e , a n d e n f or c e a bl e , s av e u pon s u c h g r ou n ds4

a s e x i st at l a w o r i n e qu i ty f o r t h e rev o c ati o n o f a n y c o n tr a c t. ’” N orw es t F i n . M i ss ., I n c. v. M c Do n a ld , 9 0 5 S o . 2 d

1 1 8 7 , 1 1 9 2 ( M i

s s . 2 0 0 5 ) ( qu

o ti n g 9 U
. S
. C
. § 2 )
. “

D o u b t s a s to th

e
av a i l a bi l i t y o f a r bi t r ati on m u s t be r e s ol v e d i n f av or of a r bi t r ati on .” I P T i m be r l and sO pe r at i ng C o. v . D e nm i ssC

or p. , 7 2 6 S o . 2 d

9 6 , 1 0 7 (M i

s s . 1 9 9 8 ) (c i

ti n g M os e sH . C on e M e m ’ l H os p.
v . M e r c ur y C ons t r . C or p. , 4 6 0 U
. S
. 1 , 2 4
- 2 5 , 1 0 3 S
. C t. 9 2 7 , 7 4 L
. E d
. 2 d 7 6 5 (1 9 8 3 )). F u rt h e r, th i s C o u rt h a s h e l d th at “ [a]rti c l e s o f a g ree m e n t t o a rb i tr ate, a n d a w a rd s th e reo n a re t o b e l i b e r a l l y c on s t r u e d s o a s t o e n

c ou r a g e t h e s e t tl e m e n t of di s pu t e s a n d t h e pr e s u m pti on
wi l l be i n du l g e d i n f av or of t h e va l i d i t y of

a r bi t r ati on pr oc e e di n gs .” R u ss el l

v. P er f orm an ce T oyot a, I n c. , 8 2 6 S o . 2 d

7 1 9 , 7 2 2 (Mi

ss . 2 0 0 2 ). D I S C U S S I ON I . W h e t h e r t h e t r i al c ou r t e r r e d i n f i n d i n g t h e ar

b it r at i on agr e e m e n t to b e u n e n fo r

c e a b le . ¶9
. T h e F e d e ra l A rb i trati o n A c t p ro v

i d e s a two - p ro n

g e d i n qu i ry f o r d e te rm i n i n g t h e v a lid ity of a m oti on t o c om

pe l a r bi t r at i on . E as t

F or d, I nc. v . T ay l or , 8 2 6 S o . 2 d

7 0 9 , 7 1 3 ( Mi

ss. 2 0 0 2 ). T

h e f ir s t p r o n g r equ

i r es a t h r esh o l d f i n d i n g t h at t h e ag r eem en t t o b e ar b i t r at ed h as a
n ex u s t o i n t er s t at e com

m erce, f ol l ow ed by a f ind ing t h at t h e t er m s of t h e ar bi t r at i on ag r eem en t
r e qu i r e t h e pa r ti e s t o a r bi t r at e t h e ki n d of di s pu t e i n v ol v e d i n t h e l i t i ga t i o n. I

d. T h e s e c on d pr on g a ddr e s s e s w

h e t h e r l e g a l c on s t r a i n t s e xt e r na l t o t

h e a g r e e m e n t , s u c h a s f r a u d, du r e s s , or
u n c o n s c i o n a b i l i ty , f o re c l o s e a rb i trati o n o f th e c la ims . I

d. ( c i ti ng D oct or’

sA ss ocs. v. C a s a r o tto , 5 1 7 U
. S
. 6 8 1 , 6 8 6 , 1 1 6 S
. C t. 1 6 5 2 , 1 3 4 L
. E d
. 2 d 9 0 2 (1 9 9 6 )).In d e te rm i n i n g th e s c o p e o f tra n s a c ti o n s “ i n v o l v i n g c o m m e rc e ” u n d e r th e F e d e ra l A rb i trati o n A c t, 2 t h e U n i t ed S t at es S u

pr em e C ou r t h as “ con cl u ded t h at t h e ph r as e ‘ i n v ol v i n g com m erce’ i s t o b e i n t er pr eted br oadl y an d [ i s ] t h e f u n ct i on al equ i v al en t of t h e ph r as e ‘ af f ect i n g com m erce,’ w h i ch s i g n al s C on g r es s ’ i n t en t t o e x e r c i s e i t s C om m e r c e C l a u s e pow e r s t o t

h e f u l l e s t e x t e n t .” V i ck sbu rg P a rt n ers , 911 So. 2d at 514- 1 5 (c i ti n g A l l i e d- B r uce T e r m i ni x C os . v . D obs on , 513 U .S. 265, 273- 74, 115 S. C t . 834, 130 L
. E d. 2 d 7 5 3 (1 9 9 5 )). In

te re s ti n g l y , th e a g re e m e n t p ro v i d e s , “ [a ]l l p a rti e s a g re e th at th e i r re l ati o n s h i p a f f e c ts i n t e r s t at e c om

m e r c e a n d t h at t h i s A g r e e m e n t s h a l l be g ov e r n e d by t h e Fede r a l A r bi t r ati on A c t .” 5 I nt er s t at e C om m er

ce ¶ 10. I n c on s i de ring t he s e t w o pr on gs , w e t u r n t o ou r de c i s i on i n V i ck sbu rg P a rt n ers , w h e re i n th i s C o u r t h e ld , “ [a ] th

re s h o l d d e te rm i n a ti o n w h i c h m u s t b e c o n s i d e re d i s w h e th e r th e pa r ti e s ’ . . . a g

r e e m e n t f a l l s wi t h i n t he p r o vi s i o ns o f § 2 of t h e Fede r a l A r bi t r ati on A c t .” 911 S o . 2 d at 5 1 4
. S ecti

o n 2 o f t h e F ed er al A r b i t r ati o n A ct stat es: A w ri t t en pr ov i s i on i n an y m ar i ti m e t r an s a c ti on or a con t r act ev i den ci n g a t r a n s a c ti o n i n v o l v i n g c o m m e rc e to s e ttl

e b y a rb i trati o n a c o n tro v e rs y th e re a f te r a ri s i n g ou t of s u c h c on t r a c t or t r a n s a c ti on , or t h e r e f u s a l t o pe r f or m t h e w h ol e or an y par t t h er eof , o r an ag r eem en t i n w ri ti n g t o su bm i t t o ar bi t r at i o n an ex i s ti n g con t r ov er s y ar i s i n g ou t of s u ch a c o nt r act , t

r an s act i on , o r r ef u s al , sh al l be v a l i d, i r r e v oc a bl e , a n d e n f or c e a bl e , s av e u pon s u c h g r ou n ds a s e x i s t a t l a w or i n e qu i ty f o r th e re v o c ati o n o f a n y c o n tra c t. 9 U .S.C . § 2. ¶ 11
. T he t r i a l c ou

r t s t at ed t h e en f or cea bi l i t y of an ar bi t r at i on ag r eem en t bet w een a m edi cal p ro v i d e r an d a p ati e n t w a s o n e o f

f i rs t i m p re s s i o n f o r th e c o u rt. P l a i n ti f f s a s s e rt th

i s
a g re e m e n t re g a rd i n g a m e d i c a l p ro c e d u re c a n n o t b e c o n

s tru e d a s a f f e c ti n g i n te rs ta te
com m erce. H ow ev

er , D r . C l

ev el an d an d C S A ar g u e t h e m edi cal t r eat m en t pr ov i ded t o Man

n 2
a f f e c ts i n terstate c o m

m e rce u n d e r V i ck sbu rg Pa rt n ers , w

h e re th i s C o u rt h e l d , “ s i n g u la r ag r eem en t s b e t w een care f aci l i ti es an d car e pat

i en t s , w h en t aken i n t h e ag g r eg at e, af f ect i n t er s t at e com

m erce.” 91 1 S o. 2dat

51 5. W h

i l e t h e V i ck sbu rg P a rt n ers op i

n i on w as h an ded“ JA M S ” s t an ds f or “ J u di ci al A r bi t r at i on an d Medi at i on S er v i ces ,” an d i t i s a com pan y w h i ch 3 p r o v i d es al t er n ati v e d i spu t e r esol u ti o n ser v i ces. 6 dow n s u bs e qu e nt t o t h e t ri a l c ou r t ’ s r u l i n g i n t h i s c a s e , w e h

av e h e l d t h at a l l j u di c i a l de c i s i on s
a ppl y r e t r oa c ti v e l y u n l e s s t h e C ou r t h a s s pe c i f i c a l l y s t a t e d t

h e r u l i n g i s pr os pe c ti

v e . See M

i ss. T r an s p. C om m ’ n v. R on al d A da m sC

on t r act o r , I n c. , 7 5 3 S o . 2 d

1 0 7 7 , 1 0 9 3 (Mi

ss . 2 0 0 0 ); M o r ga n v . S ta te , 703 So. 2d 832, 839 ( M i s s . 1997) . T

h e r e f or e , f ol l owi n g o ur opi

n i on i n V i ck sbu rg P a rt n ers , w e con c l ud e t he econ

om i c ac ti v i ti es of D r . C l ev el an d an d C S A af f ect i n t er s t at e com

m erce, an d t h e Feder al A r bi t r at i on A ct i s appl i cabl e. A r b i tr a b i l i ty o f D i s p u te ¶12
. P l ai n ti f f s f u r t h er arg u e t h i s di spu t e i s n o t wi t h i n t h e scop e o f

t h e a g r e e m en

t b ecau se i t w a s e x e c u te d s u b s e q u e n t to M a n n ’s 2 0 0 2 g

a s tre c to m y , a n d th e 2 0 0 3 h e rn i a re p a i r – th e p r o c e du r e f or w h i c h t h e a g re e m e n t w a s s i g n e d – w a s n

e c e s s i t at e d by t h e g a s t r e c t o m y. P l a i n ti f f s a s s e r t t h e r e w a s n

o a g r e e m e n t e x e c u te d pri or t o t h e g a s t r e c t om y , s o a n y inj ur y
a ri s i n g t h e r e f r om i s n ot s u bj e c t t o a r bi t r ati on . Pl a i n ti f f s c o nt e nd t ha t

i f t h e a g r e e m e n t i s f ou n d t o b e v a l i d, t h i s C ou r t w ou l d be s e t ti n g a “ da n g e r ou s pr e c e de n

t ,” a s i t w ou l d “ a l l o w t he ap p el l an t t o g et a si g n at u r e n i n e m o n t h s af t er t h e f i r st su rg er y t o r em o v e t h e s t o m a c h

an d u se i t t o de f e n d a g a i n s t pu n c t u ri n g t h e i n t e s ti n e s i n t h e s e c on d ope r ati on .” ¶ 1 3
. Ho we v

e r , t h e a g r e e m e n t at i s s u e s t at e s , “ [ p ] ati

e n t a g r e e s t h at i n t h e e v e n t o f a n y d i s p u te , c l a i m , or c on t r ov e r s y a ri s i n g ou t of o r re l a ti n g to t h e pe r f or m a n c e of m e di c a l s e r v i c e s . . . su c h d i sp u te o r co n tr o v e r s y sh a l l b e su b m i tte d to JA MS [ ] .
. . . ”

(E m p h a si s a d d e d ). T

h e th e o ry 3
o f th e p l a i n ti f f s ’ c a s e i s th at th e in i ti a l p ro c e d u re l e d to th e n e e d f o r th e h e rn i a re p a i r, a n d th e7

h e rn i a rep a i r w a s n e g l i g e n tl y p e rf o rm e d , l e a d i n g to th i s l a w su i t. T h u s, th e p ro c e d u res a re
re l ate d b y p l a i n ti f f s ’ o w n th e o ry o f th e c a s e , a n d th e y a r e c o v e re d

b y th e a rb i trati o n a g re e m e n t. E x te r n a l L e ga l C o n s tr a i n ts - Un c o n s c i o n a b i l

i ty ¶ 1 4
. T h e F A

A ’ s s e c o n

d p r o n g o f a n a l y s i s r e qu i r e s u s t o c o n s i d e r w h e t h e r l e g a l c o n s tra in ts
e x te rn a l to th e p a rti e s ’ a g re e m e n t f o re c l o s e a rb i trati o n o f th e c l a i m s . P l a i n ti f f s a s s e rt th

i s
a g re e m e n t w a s n o t si g n e d b y M a n n kn o wi n g l y , v o l u n ta ri l y a n d i n te l l i g e n tl y , a n d it i

s pr ocedu r al l y an d su bstan ti v el y u n con s ci on abl e. T h e t ri al cou r t h el d “ t h e ag r eem en t f al l s w el l
wi t h i n t h e r e a l m of a dh e s i on a n d u n c on s c i on a bi l i t y .” ¶1 5
. T h i s C o u rt h a s d e f i n e d u n c o n s c io n a b ili

ty a s “ ‘an a b s e n c e o f m e a n i n g f u l c h o i c e o n th e p a r t of on e of t h e pa r ti e s , t og e t h e r wi t h c on t r a c t t e r m s w h i c h a r e u n r e a s on a bl y f av or a bl e t o t he
o th e r p a rt y . ’” T ay l or , 8 2 6 S o . 2 d

at 7 1 5 (qu

o ti n g B a n k o f I n d . , Na t’ l A ss ’ n v . H o ly f ie ld , 476 F
. S u p p . 1 0 4 , 1 0 9 (S
. D
. M i s s . 1 9 7 9 )). W e re c o g

n i z e two ty

p e s o f u n c o n s c i o n a b il i typr ocedu r al an d su bstan ti v e: Pr oc e du r a l u n c on s c i on a bi l i t y m a y be pr ov e d by s h owi n g a l a c k of k no w l e d ge , l a c k o f v o l u n ta ri n e s s , i n c o n s p i c u o u s p ri n t, th e u s e o f c o m p l e x l e g a l i s ti c l a n g u a g e , di s pa ri t y i n s o p hi s ti c ati on or ba rg a i n i n g pow e r of t h e pa r ti e s a n d/ or a l ack o f o p p o r t u n i t y t o st u dy t h e co n t r act an d i n qu i r e ab o u t t h e co n t r act t er m s. S u b s ta n ti v e u n c o n s c i o n a b i l i ty m a y b e p ro v

e n b y s h o wi n g th e te rm s o f th e ar bi t r at i on ag r eem en t to b e opp r es s i

v e. T ay l or , 826 So. 2d at

714 ( c i t ati on s om i t t e d) . “ Pr o c e du r a l u n c on s c i on a bi l i t y l ooks be y on d t h e s ub s t a nt iv

e t er m s w h i ch s peci f i cal l y def i n e a c on t r act an d f ocu s es on t h e ci r cu m s t an ces
s ur r o u n di n g a c on t r a c t ’ s f or m ati on .” V i ck sbu rg P a rt n ers , 9 1 1 S o . 2 d at 5 1 7
. In E n t er

gy M i ss i ss i ppi , I nc. v . B ur de t t e G i n C o. , 72 6 S o. 2d12 02 , 1 20 7 ( M i s s . 1 99 8) , t

h i s C ou r t di v i ded8

pr oc e du r a l u n c on s c i on a bi l i t y i n t o t w o g e n e r a l c at e g ori e s : l a c k of kn owl e dg e a n d l a c k of
v o l u n t ari n ess. 1. Pr oc e du

r a l U n c on s c i on a bi l i t y - L a c k of K n owl e dg e ¶1 6
. “ A la c k

o f kn o wl e d g e i s d e m o n s trate d b y a l a c k o f u n d e rs ta n d i n g o f th e c o n t r a c t t e r ms
a ri s i n g f ro m in c o n s p i

c u o u s p ri n t o r th e u s e o f c o m p l e x, l e g a l i s ti c l a n g u a g e , d i s p a ri ty i n
s oph i s ti c ati on of pa r ti e s , a n d l a c k of oppor t u n i t y t o s t udy

t h e c on t r a c t a n d i n qu i r e a bou t
c on t r a c t t e r m s .” V i ck sbu rg P a rt n ers , 9 1 1 S o . 2 d at 5 1 7 (ci tati o n s o m i tte d ). ¶1 7
. F ir st, p l

a i n ti f f s a rg u e th i s a g ree m e n t wa s p ro c e d

u ral l y u n c o n sc i o n a b l e b e c a u s e o f a d i s p a ri ty i n th e s o p h i s ti c ati o n o f th e p a rti e s d u e to M a n n ’ s l

a c k o f e d u c ati o n a n d i n a b i l i ty to
r e a d or und e r s t a nd t

h e a g r e e m e n t . H ow e v

e r , t h i s C ou r t h a s h e l d t h e i n a bi l i t y t o r e a d doe s n

ot
re n d e r a p e rs o n i n c a p a b l e o f p o s s e s s i n g a d e q u ate kn o wl e d g e o f th e a rb i t r a t io n a g

re e m e n t h e
or s h e s i g n e d. See E qui

f i r s t C or p. v . Jac ks on , 9 2 0 S o . 2 d

4 5 8 , 4 6 4 (Mi

ss . 2 0 0 6 ). ¶1 8
. P l a i n ti f f s a ls o a s s e r t t

h e a g ree m e n t wa s n o t p ro p e rl

y e x p l a i n e d to Ma n n , a s th e term s
w o u l d h a v e b e e n

d i f f i c u l t f o r h i m to u n d e rstan d
. T h e a g ree m e n t i s a tw o - p a g e d o c u m e n t. In
a b o l d , c a p i ta l i z e d f o n t l a rg e r th a n t h a t o f

th e re s t o f th e d o c u m e n t, th e f i rs t p a g e o f th e d o cu m en t stat es: N O TI CE: B Y

S I G N I N G TH I S CO N TR ACT Y O U AR E AGR EEI N G

TO HAV E A N Y

CLAI M OF

N EGLI GEN CEOR M ED I CAL M AL P R ACT I CE DE C I DE D B Y

NE U T RA

L B I NDI NG

A RB I T RA T I O N A

N D Y O U A RE GIVIN G UP

Y OU R S TA T U T OR Y

A N D C ON S T I T U T I ON A L R I G H T T O A J UR Y O R CO UR T TR I AL. T h i s f i r s t pa ge i s s i gn ed an

d d at ed by

J . L o f ti n , as a n au t h or i z ed r epr es en

t at i v e of C S A , si g n ed by M a n n , a n d i n i ti a l e d by D r . C l e v e l a n d.9

¶1 9
. T h e s e c o n d p a g e o f th e a g re e m e n t c o n ta i n s a n e x p la n a t io n o f e a c h

te rm f o u n d o n th e f i r s t pag e of t h e ag r eem en t . T h e top of t h i s pag e s t at es t he p a t i e nt i

s t o i n i ti al n ex t t o each t e r m af t er a m em ber of t h e m edi cal s t af f h as ex pl ai n ed t h at t er m t o t h e pat i en t . Man n ’ s i n i ti al s appear n ex t t o each t er m . T h e bot t om of t h e s e c on d p ag e s t at es , “

Ih er eby con f i r m t h at Ih av e
ex pl ai n ed t h e ar bi t r at i on ag r eem en t t o t h e Pati en t an d t h e Pati en t h as af f i r m ed h i s or h er
u n de r s t a n di n g of t h at a g r e e m e n t by i n i ti a l i n g or s i g n i n g be s i de e a c h o f t he f

or e g oi n g p r o v i s i o n s . ” T h i s s ta te m e n t i s s i g n e d b y J e n n i f e r L o f ti n , a n a u th o ri z e d r e p r e s e n

ta ti v e f o r C S A,
a n d i s i n i ti a l e d by D r . C l e v e l a n d. ¶20
. I n h er af f i da vi t , B ar

bar a T em pl eton , Man n ’ s s i s t er - i n - l aw , stat ed sh

e ac com pan i ed M an n to h i s a p p o i n tm e n t o n J u n e 1 8 , 2 0 0 3
. S h

e s a i d M a n n w a s h a n d e d a d o c u m e n t a n d to l d b y th e
r ece pt i on i s t t o si g n i t an d t o as k D r . C l e ve l a n

d an y qu es ti on s h e m ay h av e. S h e s t at ed sh

e w en t t o t h e r es t r oo m f or t hr e e t o f

ive m i n u t es , an d w h en s h e r et u r n ed, Man n w as r eady

t o l eav e. T e m pl e t on t e s ti f i e d t h at on t h e w a y h om e , M a n n tol d h e r h e a s ke d D r . C l

e v e l a n d w ha t t he
a g r e e m e n t m e a n t , a n d D r . C l e v e l a n d r e pl i e d, “ I t ’ s s o y ou w on ’ t s u e m e .” ¶2 1
. In h i s a f f i d av i t, D r. C l e v e l a n d d i s p u te s th e s e c l a i m s a n d m a i n ta in s t h a t M a

n n s i g n e d th e
a g re e m e n t a n d i n i ti a l e d h i s u n d e rs ta n d i n g o n th e s e c o n d p a g e o f th e a g re e me n t b e fo re m

e e ti n g
wi th h i m . D r. C l e v e l a n d s tate d th at w h e n h e me t w it h M a

n n , h e a s k e d M a n n i f h e s i g n e d th e
a g re e m e n t a n d u n d e rs to o d i t, a n d th e n h e a n s w e re d M a n n ’s qu e s ti o n s re g a r d i n g th e a g re e m e n t. D r. C l e v e l a n d a s s e rte d i n h i s a f f i d av i t th at Ma n n ’s s i g n a t u r e a n d h

i s i n i ti a l s “ s i g n i f i e d th at h e h ad r ead t he c o nt r a c t , h

ad i t s t er m s ex pl ai n ed t o h i m , f u l l y u n der s t oo d i t s t er m s , an d con s en t ed to th e s u rg e ry . ” D r. C l e v e l a n d e x p l a i n e d th at h i s i n i ti a l s at th e b o tto m o f b o th p a g e s o f th e10

ag r eem en t “ con f i r m ed t h at a l l o f [ M an

n ’ s ] qu es ti on s r eg ardi n g t h e ar bi t r at i on ag r eem en t h ad be e n a n s w e r e d.” ¶22
. T h i s C ou r t h as n ot been f u r n i s h ed wi t h an a f f i d a vi t or an y t es ti m on y f r om J en n i f er L of ti n , t h e au t h or i z ed r epr es en

t at i v e f r om C S A w h o s i gn e d t

h e ag r eem en t s t at i n g s h e ex pl ai n ed i t s t e r m s t o M a n n . Pl a i n ti f f s a rg u e t h at i t “ a ppe a r s t h e s e m a y n ot be M a n n ’ s i n i ti a l s ” o n t he
s e c o n d p a g e , a n d th at J
. L o f t in w h o si

g n ed o n t h e f i r st p ag e i s n o t t h e sam e as Jenni

f er L o f ti n
w h o si g n ed on t h e s econ d p ag e . T hi s con

t en ti on w as n ot as s er t ed at t h e t ri al l ev el
. A d d it io n a lly , p l

a i n ti f f s o f f e r n o e v i d e n c e to s u p p o rt th i s c o n te n ti o n a n d c i te n o l e g a l a u th o ri ty f o r th i s a rg u m e n t i n th e i r b ri e f
. T h e re f o re , t h is a r g u

m e n t m e ri ts n o c o n s i d e ra ti o n b y th i s C o u rt. See F e r r e l l v . Ri v e r C i t y R oo f i ng, I nc . , 9 1 2 S o . 2 d

4 4 8 , 4 5 6 (M i

s s . 2 0 0 5 ) (f

a i l u re to c i te
re l e v a n t a u th o ri ty o b v i ate s C o u rt’s o b l i g ati o n to re v i e w i s s u e ); T a te v . S ta te , 912 So. 2d 919, 9 2 8 (Mi ss . 2 0 0 5 ) (ap p e l

l ate c o u rt wi l l n o t re v i e w i ss u e s ra i se d f o r t h e f i rst t i m e o n a p p e a l)
. ¶23. T he l

a n g u a g e i n t h i s a g r e e m e n t i s n e i t h e r c om pl e x n or c on v ol u t e d. T h e l a n g u a g e s t at ing M an n w as g i v i n g u p hi s r i gh

t t o a t ri al i s bo l dl y pr i n t ed i n al l capi t al l et t er s i n a f on t l ar g er t h an t h e f on t i n t h e r es t of t h e ag r eem en t . T h e s econ d p ag e of t h e ag r eem en t f u l l y s t at es an

d
e xp l a i n s t h e i n di v i du a l t e r m s of t h e a g r e e m e n t . Pl a i n ti f f s ’ c l a i m t h at M a n n c ou l d n o t ha ve
u n de r s t ood t

h e a gr e e m e nt

i s wi t h ou t m e ri t , a s t h i s C ou r t h a s h e l d, “ [ a ] pe r s on

c a n n ot av oi d a
w ri t t en con t r act w h i ch h e h as e nt e r ed i

n t o o n t h e g r ou n d t h at h e di d n ot r ead i t or h av e i t r ead t o h i m . . . .” C ont ’ l Je w e l r y C o. v . Jos e ph , 1 4 0 Mi

ss . 5 8 2 , 5 8 5 , 1 0 5 S o . 6 3 9 ( 1 9 2 5 )
. F u r t h e r, M an n s i g n ed t h e f i r s t pag e of t h e a gr e e m e nt

an d i n i ti al ed besi de eac h t er m on t h e s econ d p ag e, de n oti n g h i s u n de r s t a n di n g of t h e t e r m s . M a n n ’ s i n i ti a l s on t h e s e c on d pa g e of t h e a gr e e m e nt
a lso i n d i c ate h e w a s p ro v

i d e d a n o p p o rt u n i ty to i n qu i re a b o u t t h e a g ree m e n t’ s te rm s. P l a i n ti f fs11

m ay n ot es cape t h e ag r eem en t by s im p l y s t at i n g M an n di d n ot r ead t h e ag r eem en t or h av e i t
r ead t o h i m o r u n d er stan d i t s t er m s. ¶24
. P l ai n ti f f s f u r t h er cl ai m t h e ag r eem en t w a s p r o c e du

r al l y u n con s ci on abl e beca u s e M an n d i d n o t h av e th e o p p o rtu n i ty to s tu dy th e c o n tra c t . T h e y a s s e rt M a

n n w a s n o t p ro v i d e d wi th a
c o py of t h e con t r act t o t ake h

om e, an d t h e ori g i n al ag r eem en t w as n ot f u r n i s h ed t o t h e t ri al
c ou r t . H ow e v

e r , pl a int i f f s d i d not pr e s e n t t h e s e a rg u m e n t s t o t h e t ri a l c ou r t , a n d t h e y h av e n ot p ro v i d e d a n y e v i d e n c e o r l e g a l a u th o ri ty f o r s u p p o rt. T h e re f o re , t h i s C o u rt i s n o t o b l i g ate d to
c on s i de r t h e i s s u e of w h e t h e r M a nn w a s f

u r n i s h e d wi t h a c opy of t h e a g r e e m e n t . See F e r r e ll , 9 1 2 S o . 2 d

at 4 5 6 ; T a te , 912 So. 2d at

928. 2
. P r o cedu

r al U n co n sci o n ab i l i t y - L ack o f V o l u n t ari n ess ¶25
. A con t r act o f a d he s i o n i

s an ag r eem en t “ dr af t ed u n i l at eral l y by t h e dom i n an t par t y an d th e n p re s e n te d o n a ‘tak e - i t- o r- l e av e - i t’ b a s i s to th e w e ak e r p a

rty w h o h a s n o re a l o p p o rtu n i ty t o ba rg a i n a bou t i t s t e r m s .” T ay l or , 8 2 6 S o . 2 d

at 7 1 6 (ci

tati o n s o m i tte d ). S u c h c o n tr a c ts a re
u s u a l l y pr e - pri n t e d a n d c on t a i n pr ov i s i on s i n e x t r e m e l y s m a l l pri n t . I d. A l a c k o f v o l u n ta ri n e s s i s d e m o n s trate d i n c o n tra c ts o f a dh e s i o n w h e n th e re is a g rea t i m b a l a n c e i n th e p a rt i e s’ r e lati v e b a rg a i n i n g p o w e r, th

e stro n g e r p a rt y ’s t er m s ar e u n n eg o ti ab l e, an d t h e w eak er p ar t y i s prev en t ed b y m ar k et f act o r s, ti m i n g or ot h e r pr e s s u r e s f r om be i n g a bl e t o c on t r a c t wi t h a no t he r p a r

t y on m or e f av or abl e t er m s or t o r ef r ai n f r om con t r act i n g at al l
. I d. at 7 1 6 (ci

tati o n s o m i tte d ). ¶26
. T h i s ag r eem en t w a s pr epar ed f

or D r . C l ev el an d an d C S A by t h e Ph el ps D u n bar , L L P , l aw f i rm . T h e a g ree m e n t ap p e a rs o n a p ri n te d f o rm b u t d o e s n o t co n tai n a n y sm a l l p ri n t. H o w e v

e r, t h e p ar ti es di spu t e w h et h er t h e ag r eem en t w a s p r e s en

t ed o n a “ t ak e i t o r l eav e i t ” b asi s. P l a i n ti f f s a ss e rt Ma n n w a s in a g r e a t d e a l

o f p a i n d u ri n g th e Ju n e 1 8 v i si t t o D r. C l e v e l a n d ’s12

of f i ce. T em pl e t o n a l s o s t a t ed i

n h er af f i dav i t t h at du ri n g t h e v i s i t , Man n w as i n pai n an d u n der stres s b e c a

u se o f th e h e rn i a . O n th e o th e r h a n d , D r. C l e v e l a n d sta t e d M a n n w a s n o t u n d e r a h eav y b u r d en o f p ai n o r st r ess at t h e ti m e o f si g n i n g . ¶27. T h e c l a i m of a l a c k of v ol u n t a ri n e s s f a i l s f or s e v e r a l r e a s on s . F ir s t , M a nn i

n i ti a l e d on t h e s e c on d pa g e of t he a gr e e m

e n t n e x t t o t h e t e r m s t ati n g , “ [ p] ati e n t i s n ot i n n e e d of
e m e rg e n c y c a r e or u n de r i m m e di at e s t r e s s .” Sec on d, t he a g

r e e m e n t pr ov i de s f or r e s c i s s i on
wi th i n f i f tee n d a y s o f si g n i n g th e a g ree m e n t, a n d Ma n n h a d n i n e tee n d a y s b e f o re h is su

rg e ry . A ddi ti on a l l y , t h e a g r e e m e n t s t at e s , “ [ b] e f

or e s i gni n g t h e Ag r e e m e n t t h e Pat i e n t m a y m ake
w ri t t e n c h a n g e s i n t h e A r b i t r ati o n A g r e e m e n t i f t h e y s o d e s ir e a n d p r e s e n

t t h e s e t o t h e Cl i n i c f o r a p p r o v a l. ”

W h i l e th e tri a l c o u rt h e l d i t d i d n o t se e m re a s o n a b l e o r p ra c ti

c a l f o r M a n n to h av e s e c u r e d l e g a l a dv i c e i n l i g h t of h i s pr e s s i n g m e di c a l c o nd i ti

on , M a n n ’ s s u rg e r y w a s n ot
s c h e d u l e d u n ti l n i n e te e n d a y s a f te r h e e x e c u t e d t h e a g

re e m e n t, s o M a n n d i d n o t h av e “ to
c h o o se b e twe e n

f o rev e r w a i v i n g av a i l a b l e rem e d ie s in a

ju d i c i a l f o ru m , o r f o rg o i n g n e c e ss a ry
m e di c a l t r e at m e n t . . . .” V i ck sbu rg P a rt n ers , 911 So. 2d at 5 2 5
. F o r a llo f th e s e r e a s o n

s , we
con cl u de t h e ag r eem en t w as n ot pr ocedu r al l y u n con s ci on abl e. 3
. S u b s ta n ti v e U n c o n s c i o n a b i l i ty ¶2 8
. P l a i

n ti f f s a rg u e t h e a g r e e m e n t w a s s u b s t a n ti v e l y u n c o n s c i o n a b l e d u e t o D r . C l e v e l a n d ’s
a n d C SA ’ s ri

g h t t o c h oos e t h e a r bi t r a t i o n a s s oc i

ati on a n d t h e pati e n t ’ s ri g h t t o a ppe a l on l y i n l i m i t ed ci r cu m s t an ces . A

t t h e t ri al l ev el , p l ai n ti f f s di d n ot as s er t a s s ub s t an

ti v el y
u n con s ci on abl e t h e pa t i e nt ’ s l i

m i t ed ri g h t t o app eal

. T h ey al s o f ai l ed t o p r ov

i de an y ar g u m en t
o r l e g a l a u th o ri ty to su p p o rt th i s a ss e rt io n i

n th e i r b ri e f to th i s C o u rt . T h e ref o re, th i s C o u rt13

i s u n de r n o du t y t o c ons i d e r t hi s a r gum e n t . See F e r r e ll , 9 1 2 S o . 2 d

at 4 5 6 ; T

a te , 912 So. 2d
at 928. ¶2 9
. N o tw

i th s ta n d i n g th e p ro c e d u r a l b a r , th

i s c l a i m f u rth e r f a i l s o n i ts m e ri ts. “ S u b s ta n ti v e
u n co n sci o n ab i l i t y m ay b e f o u n d w h en t h e t er m s of t h e co n t r act ar e o f s u c h a n o p p r essi

v e ch aracter as t o b e u

n con s ci on abl e.” R u s s e ll , 826 So. 2d at 725. T h i s C ou r t h a s h e l d,

“ [ s ] u bs t a n ti v e u n c on s c i on a bi l i t y i s pr e s e n t w h e n t he r e i

s a on e - s i de d a g r e e m e n t w h e r e by on e par t y i s depr i v ed of al l t h e ben ef i t s of t h e ag r eem en t or l ef t wi t h ou t a r em edy f or an ot her pa r t y ’ s n on pe r f or m a n c e or br e a c h .” V

i ck sbu rg P a rt n ers , 911 So. 2d at 521. ¶ 30. T h e por ti on of t h e a g r e e m e n t r e g a r di n g C SA ’ s c h

oi c e o f a n a r b i t

r ati on a s s oc i ati on
s t at es , “ [ a] r

bi t r at i on wi l l b e p er f

or m ed by JA M S . T h i s i s a n at i on al as s oci at i on of n eu t r al
ar b i t r at o r s. T h ey d o n ’ t w o r k f o r P h y si ci an o r f o r t h e P ati en t . T h e C l i n i c wi l l p ay t h e co st s,
e x c e p t f o r t h e f i r st $ 1 2 5
. 0 0 , an

d each si d e wi l l p ay f o r t h ei r o w n at t o r n ey s an d o t h er co st s . ” Ma n n i n i ti a l e d n e x t t o t h e e x p l a n ati o n o f th i s te rm o f th e a g ree m e n t. H o w e v

e r, p l a i n ti f f s a rg u e M an n cou l d n ot h av e kn o w n w ha t J A M S w as , an d i t w as u n con s ci on abl e t h at D r . C l ev el an d an d C S A ch ose t h e ar bi t r at i on as s oci at i on w h o w ou l d h ear t h e di s pu t e. ¶3 1
. In V

i ck sbu rg P a rt n ers , t

h i s C ou r t l oo ked t o ex

am pl es ci t ed by t h e T e nn e s s e e S u

pr em e C o u rt o f “ o p p res si v e ” a rb i tr ati o n a g ree m e n ts. In B ur

ac z y ns ki v . E y r i ng , 919 S.W.2d 314, 3 2 0 -2 1 ( T e n

n . 1 9 9 6 ) , t

h e T e n n e s s e e S u p r e m e C o u r t c i te d B e

y non v. G ar

de n G r ov e M e di c al G r oup , 16 1 C al

. R pt r . 1 46 , 1 50 ( C al

. C t . A p p . 4 t h D i s t . 19 80 ) , i n w h i ch t h e cou r t f ou n d an
a g r e e m e n t o p p r e s s i v e w h e r e a h e a l t h c a r e p r o v i d e r r e qu i r e d a r b i t r ati o n t ak e p l a c e b e f o re a pa n e l of t h r e e ph y s i c i a n s . V i ck sbu rg P a rt n ers , 9 1 1 S o . 2 d at 5 2 1
. T

h e T e n n e ss e e C o u

rt14

f u r t h e r c i t e d B r oe m m e r v . A bor t i o n S e r v i c e s of

P hoeni x, L t d. , 8 4 0 P
. 2 d

1 0 1 3 , 1 0 1 6 (A

ri z . 19 92 ) , i n w h i ch t h e A r i z on a Su pr em e C ou r t h el d u n con s ci on abl e an ag r eem en t d r af t ed by an abor ti on s er v i ces cl i n i c i n w h i ch a r b i t r at i on h ad t o t ake pl

ace i n f r on t of ph y s i ci an s
s pe c i a l i z i n g i n obs t e t ri c s a n d g y n e c ol og y . V i ck sbu rg P a rt n ers , 911 So. 2d at 521. ¶ 32. T h i s C ou r t h a s h e l d, “ [ w ] h i l e unc o ns c i

on a bl y oppr e s s i v e te r m s c a n be f a c i a l l y i n v a l i d, a per s e f i n di n g of s u bst a nt ive un

con s ci on abi l i t y i s s t ri ct l y appl i cabl e on l y t o a pr ov

i s i on t h at by i t s v er y l an g u ag e s i g n i f i can tl y al t er s t h e l eg al ri g h t s of t h e par ti es inv o lve d an

d sev erel y
a bri dg e s t h e dam a g e s w h i c h t h e y m a y obt a i

n .” I d. T h e a g re e m e n t at i s s u e p ro v i d e s M a n n wi th
a f a i r o p p o rt u n i ty a n d a p ro p e r f o ru m i n w h i c h to d i sp u te h is c la im s . I t d o e s n

o t l i m i t Ma n n ’s dam ag es , Man n ’ s l eg al r i gh t s , o r

D r . C l ev el an d’ s an d C S A ’ s l

i abi l i t y . T h e ag r eem en t f u r t h er p r o v i d es f o r ar b i t r at i o n b y a n

eu t r al associ ati o n i n t h e b u si n ess of p r o v i d i n g n eu t r al ar b i t r at o r s. F or t h es e r eas on s , w e con cl u de t h e ag r eem en t at i s s u e i s n ot s u bstan ti v el y u n con s ci on abl e. ¶ 33
. We f

i n d t h e ag r eem en t i s n ei t h er pr ocedu

r al l y n or s u bstan ti v el y un c o ns c i o nabl

e. T h e r e f or e , t h e t ri a l c ou r t e r r e d i n de n y i n g t h e M oti on t o C om pe l A r bi t r ati on . II . W h e th e r th e a r b it r a t i o n a g r e e m e n t i s b ind ing o n M a n n ’s w

r o n g fu l d e a th b e n e fic ia r

ie s . ¶ 34. Pl a i n ti f f s a s s e r t t h e a g r e e m e n t i s n ot bi n di n g on t h e i r c l a i m , a s i t w a s no t s i

g n e d by t h em o r b y an y o n e wi t h au t h o ri t y t o si g n o n t h ei r b eh al f
. H o w ev

er , t h e ag r eem en t ex p r essl y stat es i t ap p l i es to “ an y d i spu t e . . . b et

w een P ati en t ( w h et h er a m i n o r o r an ad u l t ) o r t h e h ei r sat - l a w or per s on al r epr es en t at i v e of P at i en t , as t h e ca s e m ay be, an d t h e C l i n i c, P L L C an d each P hys i c i a n i nd i vi d ua l l y . . . . ”15

¶3 5
. In T

er m i n i x Int er n at i on al , Inc. v. R i ce , 9 0 4 S o . 2 d 1 0 5 1 , 1 0 5 8 (M i s s . 2 0 0 4 ), th

i s C o ur t a dopt e d t

h e Fi f t h C i r c u i t ’ s h ol di n g i n W a s h i n gt o n M

u t u a l Fi n a n c e

Gr o u p , LL C v . B ai l ey , 364 F.3d 260, 266 ( 5 t h C ir . 2 0 0 4) , t h at t h e pl a i n ti f f w a s bou

n d by a n a r bi t r ati on
a g re e m e n t si g n e d b y h e r h u s b a n d , a l th o u g h n o t b y h e r. “ ‘It d o e s n

o t f o l l o w . . . th at u n d e r th e [ F eder a l A r bi t r at i on ] A ct an ob l i g at i on t o ar bi t r at e at t ach es on l y t o o n e w h o h as per s on al l y
s i g n ed t h e w ri t t en ar bi t r at i on pr ov i s i on . [ W e ha ve m a de] cl ear t h at a n on s i g n ator y par t y m ay be bo u n d t o an ar bi t r at i on ag r eem en t i f s o d i ctat ed by t h e or di n ar y pr i n ci pl es o f c o nt r a ct

an d
a g e n c y . ’” T e r m in ix , 9 0 4 S o . 2 d

at 1 0 5 8 (qu

o ti n g W as hi ngt on M

ut ual , 3 6 4 F
. 3 d

at 2 6 6 ). ¶ 36. Fu

r t h e r , t h i s C ou r t h e l d i n S m i t h B a rn e

y , I n c . v . H en ry , 7 7 5 S o . 2 d

7 2 2 , 7 2 6 ( Mi

ss. 2 0 0 1 ), “ [ t ] h e d e a th

o f a p a rty to a n a g re e m e n t to a rb i trate f u tu re d i s p u te s d o e s n

o t i n v a l i d ate th e a g re e m e n t. ” T h e a g re e m e n t i n S m i t h B arney p l

ai n l y stat ed i t w as bi n d i n g o n h ei r s,
s uc c e s s or s , a

n d a dm i n i s t r at or s , a s doe s t

h e a g r e e m e n t at i s s u e . I d. at 7 2 7
. T

h i s C o u rt u p h e ld t h e a g r e e m e n t in S m i t h Ba r

n e y , c o n c l u d i n g, “ [a ]c c o rd i

n g to th e te rm s o f th e a g re e m e n t, [ p l ai n ti f f ] i s n o t r equ i r ed t o b e a si

g n at o r y i n o r d er t o b e b o u n d b y t

h e ar b i t r ati o n cl au se. A s a
s u cce s s or of [ t h e dece as ed] , [ pl

ai n ti f f ] i s cov er ed by t he a r bi t r at i on cl au s e of t h e cl i en t
a g r e e m e n t s .” I d. at 727. ¶3 7
. T h e d i s s e n t ta k e s a c o n tra ry v i e w , w h i c h i t re s ts u p o n s e v e r a l fa ls e p re m

i s e s . F i rs t, th e di s s en t s ay s a w r on g f u l deat h act i on bel on gs s o l e l y t o t h e h ei r s of t h e dece as ed. T

h i s pr em i s e, of cou r s e , i s c om

pl et el y con t r ar y t o t h e ex pr es s l an g u ag e of ou r w r on g f u l deat h s t at u t e, w h i ch pr ov i de s t h at , i n a w r on g f u l de at h s u i t , t h e pl a i n ti f f m u s t pu r s u e “ a l l t h e dam a g e s of e v e r y ki n d t o t he de c e de n

t a n d a l l dam a g e s t o e v e r y ki n d t o a n y a n d a l l pa r ti e s i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e s u i t .”16

M i s s . C od e A

n n . § 11
- 7- 13 ( R e v. 20 04 ) . T h e par ti es “ i n t er es t ed i n t h e s u i t ” ar e n ot l i m i t ed t o t h e w r on g f u l deat h ben ef i ci ar i es , b u t cou l d i n cl u de t h e e s t a t e o f t he deceden t , an i n s u r an ce
c o mp a n y e x

e rci si n g i ts ri g h t o f su b ro g ati o n , a n d a n y o th e r p a rt i e s c l a i m i n g a ri g h t o f rec o v e ry . ¶3 8
. T h e d i s s e n t i s a l s o i n c o rre c t i n s tati n g th a t w ro n g f u l d e at h is d i

f f e re n t f ro m o th e r to rts b eca u s e i t can n ot ar i s e u n ti l af t er deat h . Wr on g f u l deat h i s n ot a tor t , b u t r at h er a c a us e o f
a c ti o n b a s e d u p o n a n u n d e rl y i n g to rt th at m u s t h av e b e e n c o mmit t e d

a g a i n s t th e d e c e d e n

t,
r e s u l ti n g i n t h e de c e de n t ’ s de at h
. I d. ¶ 39
. F i n al l y , an d p er h aps m ost s i g n i f i can tl y , t h e di s s en t m i s u n der s t an ds w h a t i s r e q ui r ed
u n d e r S e c ti o n 1 1
- 7
- 1 3 to ju

s ti f y a w ro n g f u l d e ath c l a i m . U n d e r th e s t a t u te , a

w ro n g f u l d e ath
c l a i m i s o ne t

h e dece den t m u s t h av e been abl e to b ri n g h ad deat h n ot en s u ed. T h e s t at u t e open s
wi t h t h e f ol l ow i n g m an dat e: W h e n e v e r t h e de at h o f a ny pe r s on

. . . s h a l l be c a u s e d by a n y r e a l , w r on g f u l or n e g l i g e n t a c t or om i s s i on , . . . a s w ou

l d, i f deat h h ad

no t ensued, ha v e ent i t l ed t he par t y i nj ure d or

dam age d t he re by

t o m ai nt ai n an ac t i on an

d r ecov er d am a g e s i n re s p e c t th

e re o f , . . . t h e p e rs o n

. . . th at w o u ld h a v e b e e n lia b leif deat h h ad no t ensued , . . . s h

a l l be l i a bl e f or dam a g e s . . . . M i s s . C ode A

n n . § 11- 7- 13. ¶ 40
. B as ed on

t h e cl ear l a ng u ag e of t h e s t at u t e, a w r on g f u l deat h ben ef i ci ar y i s on l y al l ow ed to b ri n g c l a i ms t h a t th

e d e c e d e n

t c o u l d h av e b ro u g h t i f th e d e c e d e n

t h a d s u rv i v e d
. S i n c e th e be n e f i c i a ri e s m a y on l y bri n g c l a i m s t h e de c e de n

t c ou l d h av e br ou g h t h a d t h e de c e de n

t s u r v i v e d, lo g ic r e q u

i res u s to c o n c l u d e th at t h e c o n v e rse i s tru e , th at i s, th e d e c e d e n

ts m a y N O T b ri n g
c l a i m s th e d e c e d e n

t c o u l d n o t h av e b ro u g h t, h a d th e d e c e d e n

t su rv i v e d
. T h u s , p l a i n ti f f s i n th i s
cas e m ay n ot br i n g cl ai m s M an n cou l d n ot h av e brou g h t hi m s e l f . T h i s s am e r eas on i n g w as
a p p l i e d una ni m o us l y b y t hi s C o ur t i n J en k i n s v. Pen saco l a H

ea l t h T r u st , N o. 2005- I A
- 02342-17

S C T , 2 00 6 Mi

s s . L E X I S 20 8 , a t * 8 ( M i

s s . A pr . 2 7, 20 06 ) , w

h er e w e h el d t h at t h e ben ef i ci ar i es
cou l d n ot br i n g a cl ai m f or w r on g f u l deat h w h er e t h e s t at u t e of l i m i t a t i o ns ha d ex

pi r ed an d
w ou l d h av e pr e v e n t e d t h e de c e de n t f r om bri n g i n g t h e c l a i m h e r s e l f
. Id
. ¶ 41
. B ec a us e M a nn a gr e e d t o ar bi t r at e, h e cou l d n ot h av e br ou g h t t h i s cl ai m f or m edi cal
m a l p ra c ti c e e v e n i f d e at h h a d n o t e n s u e d
. H e w o u

l d h av e b e e n r e qu i r e d t o s u b m i t h i s c l a i m to
ar b i t r ati o n . T h er ef o r e, si n ce Man n co u l d n o t h av e b r o u g h t t h i s cl ai m , n ei t h er can p l ai n ti f f s. ¶ 42
. A l t h ou g h t h e di s s e nt s k i l l f

ul l y at t em pt s t o su pp or t i t s v i ew by ci ti n g cas es f r om ot h er j u ri s di ct i on s , w e are n

ot t r ou bl ed by t h e au t ho r it i e s c i t e d
. Wh

i l e i t i s t r u e t h at a f ew j u ri s di ct i on s t ake a c on

t rar y v i ew , o u r h ol di n g t od ay f u l l y com po r t s w i t h M i

s s i s s i pp i l aw an d t h e l aw of m an y ot he r j u r i s di ct i on s . S ee B r

ia r c lif f Nu r s ing H o m e , I n c . v . T u r c o tte , 894 So. 2d66 1, 66 4 ( A l

a. 20 04 ) ( A l

abam a Su pr em e C ou r t h el d t h at a w r on g f u l deat h act i on w as
c o v e re d b y th e d e c e d e n t ’ s a g

re e m e n t to a rb i tra te ); H erbertv. S u

p eri o r C o u rt , 169 C a l

. A pp. 3 d 7 1 8 , 7 2 7 (C a l

. A p p . 2 d D i s t. 1 9 8 5 ) (wro n

g f u l d e ath s u i t b y n o n - s i g n ato ri e s o f th e
a rb i trati o n a g re e m e n t w a s c o v

e re d b y th e a g re e m e n t); A l l en v. P ach eco , 71 P.3d 375, 379 ( C ol o. 2003) ( C ol

or a do Su pr e m e C ou r t h e l d t h at a n a r b i t r ati

on a g r e e m e n t a ppl i e d t o w r on g f u l d e a t h c l a i m

s ) . W e a

r e pr e s e n t e d wi t h n o c om pe l l i n g r e a s on t o di s c a r d ou r ow n pr e c e de n t a nd ad o p t t h e r eason i n g ad v an ced b y a h an d f u l o f f o r ei g n co u r t s of ap p eal s.18

¶ 43. I n i t s opi n i on a n d or de r , t

h e t ri a l c o ur t he l d t ha t i

n l i g h t of t h i s C ou r t ’ s de c i s i on i n S m i t h B arney , p l

ai n ti f f s w er e bou

n d b y t h e ag r eem en t . We ag

r e e w i t h t

h i s h ol di n g of t h e t ri al
c o u rt. C ON C L U S I ON ¶4 4
. A s to Is s u

e I, w e fin d t h e a g

re e m e n t i s v a l i d u n d e r th e two p ro n

g te s t e n u m e ra te d b y th i s C o u rt i n T ay l or . T h e a g r e e m e n t u n am bi g u ou s l y prov i de s t h at t h e m e t h od of di s pu t e r e s ol u ti on i s a rb i trati o n , a n d th e te rm s o f th e a g re e m e n t a re f a i r a n d d o n o t imp e rm

i s s i b l y l i m i t th e ri g h ts of t h e pat i en t . T h er ef or e, w e h

ol d t h e t ri al co ur t er r ed i n den y i n g t h e M ot i on t o C om pel A r bi t r ati on . ¶ 45. A s t o I s s u

e I I , t h i s C ou r t m a de c l e a r i n i t s h ol di ngs in T er m i n i x a

n d S m i t h B arney t

h at h ei r s- a t - l a w m a y

b e b o u n d b y ar b i t r ati o n ag r eem en t s to w h i ch t h ey w er e n o t si g n at o ri es. T h er ef or e, t he t r i a l

cou r t di d n ot er r i n h ol di n g t h at pl ai n ti f f s ar e bou

n d b y t h e ag r eem en t
ex ecu t ed by M an n . ¶ 46
. F or t h es e r eas on

s , w e r ev er s e t h e t ri al cou r t ’ s j u dg m ent d e ny ing t he m

ot i on t o com pel
ar bi t r at i on , an d w e r em

an d t h i s cas e to t

h e t ri al cou r t w i t h ins t r uc ti

on s t h at i t en t er an
a p p ro p ri ate o rd e r, c o n

s i s te n t w i th th i s o p i n i o n , c o m p e lli n g th e p a rti e s to s u b m i t th e i r d i s p u te t o a r bi t r ati on . ¶ 47. R E V

E R SE D A

N D R E M A

N D E D . S M I TH, C. J . , W

AL LE R AN D COB B , P . J J . , AN D CAR LS ON , J . , CON CUR . D I AZ , J . , DI S S E N T S W I T H

S E P A RA T EW

RI T T E N O P

I NI O N J O I NE D B Y

E A S L E Y

A ND GR AVES , J J . ; R AN D O LP H , J . , J O I N S I N P

AR T. D I A Z , J U S T I C E , D I S S E N T I N G:19

¶4 8
. W i

th re s p e c t to m

y c o l l e a g u e s i n t h e ma jo ri ty , I am c o m p e l l e d to d i s s e n t. T h e m a jo ri ty def i es l og i c an d t h e bas i c pri n ci pl es of con t r act l aw by h o l d ing t ha t p a r

ti es t o a con

t r act can b i n d t h e c a u s e o f

acti o n b el o n g i n g t o a t h i r d p ar t y
— a cau se of acti o n t h at d o es n o t y et ex i st
a n d w h i c h doe s n ot a ri s e f r om t h e c on t r a c t . A c r e a t ur e o f s tat

u t e , t h e w r on g f u l de at h a c ti on b e l o n gs s o l e l y to th e h e i rs o f th e d e c e a s e d

a n d th o s e w h o m i g h t sta n d i n p l a c e o f th e d e c e d e n

t. I. W r o n g fu l D e a th
. ¶ 4 9
. T h e m a jo ri ty f i n d s th at t h e a r b it r a t io n a g

r e e m e n t i s b i n d i n g o n th e h e i r s o f J o h n D. M a n n . F o r th

is p ro p o s i

ti o n , th e y o n l y c i te two c a s e s , n

e i th e r o f w h i c h i n v o l v e w ro n g f u l d e ath
. T h e c a s e of S

m i t h B a rn ey, In c. v. H

en ry i s r e l i e d u pon h e av i l y ; h ow e v e r , t h at c a s e i n v ol v e d a l a w s u i t f or t he b r e a c h

of f i du c i a r y du t y , n e g l i g e n c e , a n d c on s pi r a c y , not w r on g f u l de at h . 775 So. 2d 722, 724 ( M i

s s . 2001)
. ¶50
. A l so ci t ed f o r su p p o r t i s T er m i n i x Int er n ., I n c. v. R i ce , w

h e re a p l a i n ti f f m a d e th e
arg u m en t t h at sh e w as n o t b o u n d b y an ar b i t r ati o n ag r eem en t si g n ed b y h er h u sban d ; t h i s case
a l s o di d n ot i n v ol v e w r on g f u l de at h . 904 So.2d 1051, 1057- 58 ( M i s s . 2004)
. ¶ 51
. T h e an al ys i s in t h e m aj or i t y op i n i on s i m pl y do es n ot addr es s t

h e m ost i m po r t an t f ace t
o f w ro n g f u l d e ath : w ro n g f u l d e ath i s d i f f e re n t f ro m o th e r to rts b e c a

u s e it c a

n n o t a ri s e u n ti l
a f t er d e a t h . “

Wron g f u l deat h i s a s eparat e and

di s t i nct c a u s e of a c ti on , w h i c h c a n be br ou g h t
o n ly by t h e s u r v i v or s of t h e de c e a s e d .” G ent r

y v. W al l ace , 6 0 6 S o . 2 d

1 1 1 7 , 1 1 1 9 ( Mi

ss. 1992) ( e m

ph a s i s a dde d) , ov er

r ul ed on ot her gr

ou nd s by J e n k in sv . Pe n s a c o la H

e a lth T r u s t, I n c. , _ _ S o . 2 d _ _ , 2 0 0 6 W L

1 0 9 8 8 9 5 , * 2 (Mi

ss . A p r. 2 7 , 2 0 0 6 ). F o r “

w h i l e a p e rso n a l i n ju ry
c a s e e n a bl e s a n i n j u r e d pa r t y t o r e c ov e r dam a g e s f or t h e i n j u ri e s h e h a s s u s t a ine d , a

w r on g f u l d e ath a c ti o n i s i n te n d e d to c o m p e n s a t e th e h e i rs o f th e d e c e a s e d

f o r l o s s e s s te m

m i n g f ro m th eI n s om e s t at e s , w

r on g f u l de at h i s a “ de i v at i v e ” a c ti on pu r s u a n t t o s t a u t e . See B al l ard v. 4 So u t h w est

D et roi t H o sp ., 327 N .W .2d 370, 371 ( M i c h . C t . A pp. 1982) . T

h at i s n ot t h e c a s e i n ou r s t at e. 20 deat h of t h e i n j u r ed par t y. ” Id
. a t 1 1 2 0
. Se e al s o I n r e Es t at e of E ngl and, 846 So.2d 1060, 1 0 6 6 (Mi ss . C t. A p p . 2 0 0 3 ). 4 ¶52
. T h i s cl ear p r eced en t e s t a b l i s h es l

o g i cal l y t h at si n ce a w r o n g f u l d eat h acti o n can n o t ari se
u n til a f t er t h e deat h of a par t y t o an ar bi t r at i on a gr e e m e nt , t

h e h ei r s can n ot be bo u n d b y an
ar bi t r a t i o n a gr eem

en t , w h i ch by i t s n at u r e i s on l y bi n di n g f or act i on s t h at cou l d h av e been br ou g h t by t h e dece den

t . I f w e deci

de h er e tod ay t h at w r on g f u l deat h act i on s , w h i ch ar i s e af t er t h e d eat h o f t h e p ar t y t o ar b i t r ati o n , ar e co v er ed b y t h at ag r e e m en t , w h at i s n o t c o v e re d b y th i s
ar bi t r at i on ag r eem en t ? See S mi t h v . S t e i n k a mp , 318 F.3d 775, 777 ( 7t h C i r . 2003)
. ¶ 53
. O t

h er cou r t s ha ve a l s o d et er

m i n ed t h at w r on g f u l deat h act i on s ar e s epar at e an

d di s ti n ct
c a u s e s o f a c ti

o n , a n d h av e re f u s e d to re qu i re a rb i trati o n b y v i rtu e o f th e c o m m o n l a w o r s ta te
s t at u t e . See G ol i

ge r v . AM S Pr op s ., I nc . , 1 2 3 C a l

. A p p . 4 th 3 7 4 , 3 7 7 (C a l

. C t. A p p . 2 D i s t. 2004) ( a r bi t r ati on a g r e e m e n t di d n ot bi n d da u ght e r e v e n w h e n s h e s i g n e d a s “ r e s pon s i bl e p a rty , ” a s s h e w a s n o t si g n i n g a w a y h e r p e rs o n a l ri g h t to a w ro n g f u l d e a t h a c t io n ); D r

e am M a k e r C o n s tr . , I n c . v . M u r r e ll , 6 0 3 S
. E
. 2 d

7 2 , 7 2
- 7 3 ( G a . C t. A p p . 2 0 0 4 ) (“

th e G e o rg i a A rb i tr ati o n C o d e w a s n

e v e r i n ten d e d b y th e G e n e ral A ss e m b l y to e n c o m p a ss p e r s o n a l i

n ju ry
o r w r on g f u l de at h a c ti on s . . . be c a

u s e t h e A c t e x pr e s s l y e x c l u de d s u c h s u bj e c t m at t e r f r om
c o v e ra g e , ” e x am i n i n g O
. C
. G
. A
. § 9
- 9
- 2 (c )(1 0 ), w h i c h p ro h i b i ts “ [a ]n y a g re e m e n t to a rb i trate f u tu re c l a i m s a ri s i n g o u t o f p e rs o n a l b o d i l y i n ju ry o r w ro n g f u l d e ath b a s e d o n to rt” ); F i n n ey
v . N at ’ l H e al t hcar e C or p. , 1 93 S .W.3 d 3 93 , 3 97 ( M o. C t . A pp . 2 00 6) ( r ef

u s i n g t o c o m pelT

h e w a i v e r of a t ri a l by j u r y v i a a r bi t r ati on a l s o c ol l i de s wi t h ot h e r por ti on s of t h e C on s ti t u ti on of 5 18 90 , n am el y S ect i on s 13 ( “ i n al l pr osec u ti on s f or l i bel t h e t r u t h m ay be g i v en i n ev i den ce, an d t h e j u r y s h al l det er m i n e t h e l aw an d t h e f act s u n der t h e di r ect i on of t h e cou r t . . . ” ) an d 1 4 ( “ N o p er s on

s h al l be depr i v ed o f l i f e , l i b e rt y , o r p ro p e rt

y e x c e p t b y d u e p ro c e ss o f

l a w ” ). 21 d a u g h te r to a rb i trate w ro n g f u l d e a t h c l a i m i n n u rs i n g h o m e c a s e ); C

am pbe l l v . C al l ow , 876 S .W.2 d 2 5, 26 ( M o. C t . A pp . 1 99 4) ( “

A w r on g f u l deat h cl ai m do es n ot bel o ng t o t he d ece as ed

. . . T he r i gh t o f

act i on i s n ei t h er a t r an s m i t t ed ri g h t n or a s u r v i v al ri g h t , b u t i s cr eated an

d
v e s te d i n th e s u rv i v o rs at th e m o m e n t o f d e ath ” ); I n r e K e p ka , 1 78 S .W.3 d 2 79 , 2 94
- 95 ( T ex . A pp.- H ou s t on 2005) ( r e pr e s e n

t ati v e ’ s w r on g f u l de at h a c ti on n ot bou n d by a r bi t r ati on )
. I I . S ta n d a r

d o f R e v ie w

. ¶5 4
. A n a g re e m e n t to w a i v e o n e ’s ri g h t to a ju ry t r ia l i

m p a c ts m u l ti p l e p o rti o n s o f th e Mi ss i ss i p p i C o n sti tu ti o n . T h e B i l l o f R i g h ts o f o u r state c o n

sti tu ti o n g u a ran tee s th at “ [a]l l
c ou r t s s h a l l be ope n ; a

n d e v e r y pe r s on f or a n i n j u r y don e h i m i n h i s l a nds , g

oods , pe r s on

, or
r e p ut a t i o n, s hal

l hav e r em

edy by du e cou r s e of l aw , an d r i g h t an d j u s ti ce s h al l be adm i n i s t ered
wi th o u t sa l e , d e n i a l , o r d e l a y . ” Mi ss . C o n st. o f 1 8 9 0 , a rt . 3 , § 2 4 (em

p h a si s a d d e d ). ¶ 55. Fu

r t h e r , “ [ n ] o pe r s on s ha l

l be deba r

red f r o m p r o secu ti n g o r d e f e n d in g a n y

ci v i l cau se f or or a g a i n s t h i m or h e r s e l f , be f or e a n y t ri bu n a l i n t h e s t at e , by

h i m or h e r s e l f , or c ou n s e l , or bot h .” M i s s . C on s t . of 1890, a r t . 3, § 25 ( e m

pha s i s a dde d) . I n

a l l t h e s e m at t e r s , “ [ t ] h e ri g h t of tr i a l b y ju ry s h a l l re ma i n i n v i o l a te. . . . ”

Mi ss . C o n st. o f 1 8 9 0 , a rt . 3 , § 3 1 (em

p h a si s a d d e d ). 5 ¶5 6
. T h e re p e ti ti o n o f th e w o rd “ s h a l l ” i n o u r C o n s tit u t io n d e mo n s t r ate s th at th e s e ri g h ts
w e re to r e ma in in v io l

ate u n d e r an y c i rc u m s ta n c e s . H o w e v

e r, th e s e c ri ti c a l f a c e ts o f o u r s ta te
con s ti t u ti on ar e al l s u pp osedl y abri dg e d b y t h e s i m pl e ac t of s i g n i n g a con t r act . T h e j u di ci al p o w e r o f th e s tate o f

M i s s i s s i p p i i s v e s te d i n th i s C o u rt b y th at sa m e C o n s ti tu ti o n , a n d i t i s22

a c c or di n g l y ou r du t y a s a c ou r t t o s a f

e g u a r d t h e c on s ti t u ti on a l ri g h t s of t h e c i ti z e n s of M i s s i s s i ppi. M i s s . C on s t . of 1890, a r t . 6, §§ 144, 146. ¶5 7
. In d e f e re n c e to th e ri g h ts o f t h e c it iz e n

s o f M i s s i s s i p p i a n d th e l a n g u a g e i n o u r s ta te
c on s ti t u ti on , Ibe l i e v e t h at a n y a r bi t r ati on a gr e e m e nt , w

h i c h by i t s n at u r e pu r por t s t o a bri dg e
c o n s t it u t io n a l ri g h ts, s h o u l d b e re v i e w e d wi th a h i g h l e v e l o f s c ru ti n y . A d d i

ti o n a l l y , th e ci r cu m s t an ces s u r r ou n di n g t h e deci s i o n o f t he par

ti es t o en t er i n t o t h e ar bi t r at i on ag r eem en t sh o u l d a l s o b e e x am i n e d w h e n d e t e r m i n i n g t h e v a l i d i t y o f t h e a r b i t r ati o n a g r e e m e n t . T h e se
s a f e g u a rd s a r e n e e d e d

b e c a u s e a rb i trati o n i s n o t si m p l y a c h o i c e o f f o ru m ; i t i n ti m ate l y a f f e c ts
a c i ti z e n ’ s c on s ti t u ti on a l ri g h t s . ¶5 8
. A s th

e l e a rn e d tri a l ju d g e n o te d , “ [t]h

e a v e r a g e p a t ie n

t i s u s u a l l y n o t a s f am i l i a r wi th
a r b i t r ati o n . . . a s m a y b e t

h e m e d i c a l p r o v i d e r . . . w h o u rg e s h i m t o s i g n a w a y h i s ri g h t s . ” Ou t
o f c o nc e r ns f

or t h e l a c k of ba rg a i n i n g pow e r t h e pati e n t m i g h t h av e , a n d of t h e f a c t t h at t he
a g r e e m e n t m a y be o n e - s i de d, t h e t ri a l c ou r t “ u s e [ d] c a u ti on i n i t s s c r u ti n y of . . . a r bi t r ati on
a g re e m e n ts, e s p e c ia ll

y s i n c e th e a g re e m e n t i s o f f e re d to th e p ati e n t a s a p re re qu i s i te to
n e c e s s a ry me d i c a l tre atm e n t. ” T h i s “ c a u ti o u s ” a p p ro a c h i s w a rran te d b y th e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f th e l eg al ri g h t s at s t ake. ¶5 9
. T h e ri g h t to a ju ry o f o n e ’s p e e r s a n d t h e r ig h

t o f a c c e s s to th

e c o u rt s y s te m o f th e s ta te of M i s s i s s i ppi i s a f u n dam e n t a l ri g h t wi t h w h i c h a r b i t r a t i o n s i

g n i f i c a n tl y i n t e r f e r e s , a n d i t
s h ou l d be r e v

i e w e d a c c o r di

n g l y . See M

i ss . C om m ’ n on Ju di ci al

Per f orm an ce v

. W i l ke r s on , 8 76 S o. 2d10 06 , 1 01 1 ( M i s s . 2 00 4) ( r es t

ri ct i on s on F i r s t A m en dm en t - g u aran t eed
s p e e c h a re re v i e w e d wi th s tri c t sc ru ti n y ); A ssoci a t ed

P ress v. B o st , 6 5 6 S o.2d 113, 11 7 ( M i s s . 1995) ( “ St

ri c t s c r u ti n y r e v i e w h a s a l s o be e n a p p l i e d w h

e n a s t at u t e i n f ri n g e s u pon a23

f u n d am e n ta l ri g h t” ); D oe v. D o e , 6 4 4 S o . 2 d 1 1 9 9 , 1 2 1 0 ( Mi

ss. 1 9 9 4 ) (

p ar en t s’ ri g h t t o r ai se
c h i l dr e n i s f u n d am e n t a l a n d a n y d e p ri v ati o n i s r e v i e w e d wi t h s t ri c t s c r u ti n y ); M i ss . H .S. A c t i v i t i e sA ss ’ n, I nc. v . C o l e m an ex r

e l . L aym on , 6 3 1 S o . 2 d

7 6 8 , 7 7 4 (M i

s s . 1 9 9 4 ) (n

o ti n g th at t h e ri g h t t o tr av e l i s f u n d am e n tal a n d res tr i c ti o n s a r e r e v i

e w e d wi th stri c t sc ru ti n y ). A r bi t r ati on c on ti n u e s t o pos e a

t h r e at t o t h e c on s ti t u ti on a l ri g h t s of t h e c i ti z e ns of M i s s i s s i ppi
an d m u s t be sc r u ti n i z ed acc or di ng l

y. Iw ou

l d app l y a s t ri ct s cr u ti n y s t an dar d i n r ev i ew i n g al l
a rb i trati o n a g re e m e n ts, re g a rd l e s s o f w h e th e r th e i s s u e s w e re ra i

s e d at th e tri a l c o u rt o r b y th e p ar ti es. ¶6 0
. F o r th

e f o re g o i n g re a s o n s , I re s p e c tf

u l l y d i s s e n t. E A S L E Y A N D GR A V E S , J J . , J O IN T H IS O P IN IO N . R A

N D O L PH , J . , J O IN S T H IS O P I N I O N I N P

AR T.